Both the Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office and DeRidder Police have shared that residents in both locations have received calls from someone claiming to be with their agency.
In DeRidder they claim to be a Detective from the DeRidder Police and state the resident needs to pay money or a warrant will be served.
In Vernon Parish the caller advises that there is a warrant and provides a common surname in Vernon Parish. The caller states that there is a gag order and the citizen should not speak about the phone call to anyone and then gives a list of charges in relation to the alleged criminal offenses, as well as a fictitious name of a Judge. Both of these are frauds.
Usually in these scams the payment is requested in some type of electronic transfer or prepaid card. If you get a call from someone claiming to be from any local law enforcement agency who is asking for money do not give them any personal or banking information over the phone. Hang up and use the local numbers provided online to report the scams.
Phone numbers:
- VPSO: 337-238-1311
- Leesville Police: 337-238-0331
- BPSO: 337-463-3281
- DeRidder Police: 337-462-8911